Momentum

Sometimes, like this afternoon I find myself getting teary eyed over something. I pride myself on trying to be positive and not getting wrapped up in all that Ayden can't or won't ever do.That something today was Ayden's skills assessment. Black and white words spelling out where Ayden is in an age equivalent format. It was probably just timing as today is not the happiest of days with the passing of a loved one, but my mission now is to think about success...

What Ayden CAN do:
He can WALK - This has been a topic lately as we just ordered what will hopefully be his last wheelchair for the days he gets tired or the distance is too great.
He can SLEEP - Most nights... Sure last night he partied at 3:30 AM, but as I read posts and blogs of fellow moms I remind myself we are not in a vicious cycle anymore and most nights he is fine. We are working now on a safety bed so when he does wake up to party, slamming his bedroom door shut until we come and hang out won't be an option.
He is SEIZURE FREE - We are over the year mark by a month or so and I know being able to listen and learn without "static" has to be making a difference for him.
He is TALKING - He has even started retelling parts of his day instead of his canned answers.
He LOVES SCHOOL! - This one is huge. For so long school was just a game to Ayden and now he truly wakes up ready to go. He saw me in the hall the first day and both myself and his teacher exchanged the look of "uh oh!"...He simply said "Mmuah! Hi Mommy!" and walked on with his friends. We have even been able to send him to after-school child care twice without much of an issue.

I know Ayden will still get tired before his peers, he will be more sensitive than his peers,and he will try to outsmart everyone around him, but he is moving in the right direction. For so long it seemed like we hit a brick wall every time he started forward. He is delayed, he will struggle, but he wants to try and he is willing to work. He has the one thing he has needed for years...

Momentum

On the medical side of things we have a few minor items in the future, Botox soon, new AFOs, and a new brace for lefty. Such simple little things now...

It seems like we may be out of the "first few years are rough" phase we were told about after his stroke and his surgery. So to the idea of moving forward and making more progress we say "Let's Go!"